Sochi Winter Olympics Recap — U.S. Ties Norway For Overall Medal Lead

Team USA forged a tie with Norway for the overall medal lead, and Japan won its first Olympic gold medal in men's figure skating. Here's a recap of Friday's action in Sochi:

Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu Wins Figure Skating Gold

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Despite falling twice in his free skate program, Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan won his nation's first Olympic gold medal in men's figure skating on Friday. Hanyu, 19, earned the medal in part because he took a nearly four-point lead heading into the final skate.

Canada's Patrick Chan had a chance to claim the gold, but he made several errors during his free skate program and settled for silver. Denis Ten of Kazakhstan won the bronze.

Noelle Pikus-Pace Wins Silver In Skeleton

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American Noelle Pikus-Pace won the silver medal in the women's skeleton in the final race of her career on Friday night. The U.S. slider from Eagle Mountain, Utah redeemed herself after narrowly missing a medal in Vancouver in 2010.

Britain's Lizzy Yarnold won the gold, and Russia's Elena Nikitina edged American Katie Uhlaender by .04 seconds for the bronze.

U.S. Struggles In Alpine Events

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The United States continued to struggle in the Alpine skiing events, finishing out of the medals in the men's super combined. Sandro Viletta of Switzerland won gold, Ivica Kostelic of Croatia claimed silver and Christof Innerhofer of Italy earned bronze.

Defending champion Bode Miller of the U.S. finished sixth, going wide on his run and pushing himself out of medal contention. World champion Ted Ligety placed 12th for the Americans, who have just one Alpine medal at Sochi.

Canada's Hockey Machine Rolls On

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Jeff Carter had a hat trick in the second period alone, and Canada routed Austria, 6-0, in men's hockey at Sochi on Friday. Canadian goalie Roberto Luongo made 23 saves, as the defending Olympic champs continued playing very well in the Olympic hockey tournament.